Councillors back proposals to progress City Council office relocation

Published: 4 September 2024

Councillors have unanimously approved the next stage of plans for a potential office move for the City Council.

Members of the Executive backed the Council’s plans to move forward with proposals to relocate offices from the Civic Centre to several sites it already owns, including the Guildhall Shopping Centre.

The Civic Centre has been identified as a site for future residential housing, and an office move would free up the site to be marketed for the creation of new homes.

A report detailing the proposals was presented to the Council’s Executive for consideration on Tuesday.

The report highlights that the existing Civic Centre site is too big for the Council, particularly since the introduction of hybrid working. Utilising alternative premises would provide the most cost-effective way to improve working conditions and ensure staff can work in a collaborative way.

Outline plans have been developed for the Council to occupy an office block in the Guildhall Shopping Centre, a floor in Bradninch Place next to the Royal Albert Memorial Museum, and space at Oakwood House, at Exton Road.

Under the plans a shop in the Guildhall Shopping Centre would also be repurposed to provide face to face services.

The Guildhall offices date back to the 1970s when the centre was built. Investment would be made to reduce the carbon footprint by replacing windows and the heating system to support the Council’s commitment to Net Zero.

The Executive committee meeting is available to watch on the Council’s news website

A meeting of full Council will discuss the plans at a meeting on 15 October.